A new mural in St. Pete’s Edge District promises to be more than just a pretty picture: Two hands reach toward each other; one releases butterflies that gently flutter toward the lotus flower clutched in the other’s hand. An inscription reads, “Compassion in action.”

The work was commissioned by the Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, a not-for-profit organization that helps people “of all ages, faiths, cultures, and lifestyles” across a vast spectrum of challenges, to celebrate the org’s 50th anniversary theme. Gulf Coast JFCS Communications Manager Hana Cowart explains that the mural was “inspired by our mission,” and was “painted to life by clients, staff, donors, funders, and community supporters.”… Read More

Halley’s comet last appeared in 1986 and will next appear in 2061. The celestial body appears cyclically every 75 to 79 years and has been observed and recorded as early as 240 BCE. But it was not until 1705 that astronomer Edmond Halley determined the cyclical appearances were reappearances of the same comet. And thus, the comet was named after him. The comet itself is composed of a nucleus described by some scientists as a “rubble pile” of ice, dust, and frozen methane, and a “coma” or tail composed of volatiles like water, methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.

In 1986, Soviet probes Vega 1 and 2 made fly-bys of the comet and took the first images of its nucleus.… Read More

“Laid back, quirky, artsy, funky, creative, unique.” Those are the words used to describe our city in the opening of a recent report about St. Petersburg titled, Keeping the Vibe Alive: The Impact of Historic Preservation in St. Pete. The report was commissioned by Preserve the ‘Burg and completed by PlaceEconomics, a private-sector firm that analyzes the economic impacts of historic preservation. PlaceEconomics CEO Donovan Rypkema presented the report at the Historic Preservation Expo at the St. Petersburg Museum of History of May 10.

Keeping the Vibe Alive highlights significant contributions by historic preservation to the city’s economy, identity, and community.… Read More